After neighbor negotiations, council replaces published ordinance and approves rezoning for property at 2620 Alexander

On third reading the Jonesboro City Council on Feb. 17 voted to replace the previously published rezoning ordinance for property at 2620 Alexander and adopt a revised version negotiated with neighbors.

Councilmember Jim Grambling (counsel’s exchange) and the applicant reported that revisions included reinstating a 25-foot buffer between the rezoned property and adjoining residential property, seven limited-overlay exclusions offered to address neighbor concerns, and a dedication of a portion of the property in the southeast quadrant to green space (except for ingress/egress). The applicant’s representative asked the council not to delay further because the parties had negotiated the changes.

Council discussed the procedural question of replacing the published ordinance versus amending section-by-section; staff advised the council it had authority to suspend rules and accept the replacement. Council voted to replace the ordinance on the record and then adopted the revised ordinance that evening. No formal vote tally with member names was recorded in the public remarks; the council used voice votes and carried the measure.

Neighbors and staff said the revised language was more restrictive than the original filing and that the changes aimed to preserve buffer and green-space protections. Council members said the revisions had been circulated in advance and were intended to reflect negotiated concessions and additional detail (including legal property descriptions) to make the ordinance enforceable.

What’s next: the revised ordinance takes effect according to the standard ordinance-effective schedule and will move forward as the governing zoning for that parcel.